ninjadude... whoa buddy.... take a pill!

So this is what this is all about? Jobs? If the unions were dead, I really believe this country would be in great shape! The auto lobbyists have pushed this country into this mess, with their wage demands and pensions, which I NOW PAY FOR with my taxes due to bailouts, so the BIG BOYS and FAT CATS can sell cheaply made crap for big bucks. In the end they outsource to other countries for less because there are no unions in the third world countries. So YOU TELL ME what good unions are...

That said, displaced auto workers could find jobs in other factories but insist on union protection. Stupid in my humble opinion!

Yeah, I want to buy a car from govenment motors! NOT. I'll take the Toyota, thank you.

People will fail to see the great distraction GM is.
When they needed bailing out, which was wrong in my opinion, people said oh the banks are getting bailed out too.
Now that they have a recall it's Toyota has one too. Both valid points but when is GM going to become responsible for themselves instead of saying, Hey look over there?

Pubs.....Toyota will never have to face the pension problem as I believe they have fallen in line with a more modern 401K plan. Besides GM isn't paying those pensions, American taxpayers are by subsidizing them through the bailouts:)

vatoloco
Feb 26, 2010 at 10:51 a.m.
Suggest removal GM, "The Deadbeat of America"

one other thing smart ass--- GM is also the provider of pensions to over 500,000 Americans. when toyota is in business here over a 100 years and has that many retirees get back with me. Maybe toyota will help us win a world war sometime like GM did. Oh, wait it was them we were fighting. Get a clue will you.

The main reason I didn't post the msn link is I don't know if the gazette is really friendly to links. I'm suprised the CNN link hasn't been removed by the editors yet. Here's an interesting link and something to chew on http://www.thebigmoney.com/blogs/shiftin.... I don't anticipate it being up long. I think it's a stretch but too many people get to wrapped up in GM being the greatest. Its an auto manufacturer and like all manufacturers its not immune from recall issues. And I have not bashed any company in this tread and I don't intend on doing so. I wouldn't want any GM vehicle currently offered or any other vehicle for that matter since I do not want a car payment in this economy, but I'd like to see people getting back to work. This economy is very scarey and its tearing family and communities apart.

The MSN link I referred to has since been moved. I should have posted it. I'm not saying there aren't problems with other manufacturers so I have nothing to debate with you regarding that. The whole point I was trying to make was ALL AUTO MANUFACTURERS HAVE PROBLEMS. GM isn't immune from issues. That's the only point I was trying to make. Too many people get tunnel vision thinking their car maker is the best. There is nothing wrong with being proud of you choice and brand loyalty. Just be aware all cars can have issues.

Regardless of what Toyota did or didn't do, GM and other manufacturers have their faults. There is no perfect car or company. I don't own a Toyota or anything GM and never will. I'm a Ford and Honda person.I'm also aware both those companies have their faults.

No that doesn't make it ok, but I don't think the "covered it up" as much as they just didn't go about alerting people as quickly as they could have. Yes they were in the wrong. I'm not saying they weren't but I can also see why they didn't come out gang busters broadcasting it either. There are tons of toyotas on the road and it wasn't/isn't clear how wide this problem is. No need to cause mass hysteria to every Toyota owner.

And GM doesn't need to cover it up. The media has already shuffled links and its no longer a highlight. The media will take care of GM

"Toyota tried to cover it up until they found a solution."- and that's ok?

Oh and I'm assuming you worked for GM or a supplier or are a GM fan. I'm not bashing any company I'm just stating the facts. ALL manufacturers have issues at some time or another. When ever anything is mass produced this can and will happen. And unfortunetly there HAS been a death. I'm not to sure GM wouldn't have tried to cover it up if they could have. Toyota tried to cover it up until they found a solution. There is no sense in coming out right away and causing mass hysteria until the extent of the problem is known.

actually there has been a death attributed to the GM recall. Check MSN

huntnfish--yes--I am serious. You don't lose the steering and the brakes, what you lose is the power assist. Any person with a driver's license should easily be able to cut power and coast to the side of the road without incident without having power assist on steering and brakes. Although I question this considering some of the people they are giving out licenses to today:)

GM recall - 1.3 million Chevrolets and Pontiacs http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/02/autos/GM...
Gasp. GM has a recall too. Gasp!!!! It happens with all auto manufacturers not just Toyota.

gmaof3 said- "Just being born in the United States doesn't require me to buy the crap we manufacture. Our trade deficit is directly related to poor products and who wants to buy our junk?"

Gma, I won't say you are ever required to buy any certain product, but mindsets like yours are the reason this country is in the shape its in. What is it that you contribute to the American economy that is of such high value? The USA was built on a "can do" mindset, that you obviously lack. I can only hope your job is the next to be outsourced.

Well I own both a GM Truck and a Toyota car. Both of them have had problems. I would buy both of them again and both were built in the USA. Every car has problems, some more than others. The toyota model we have has had some problems with acceleration. They fixed it with new floor mats, and we have had no more problems. If we do have more problems, I guess we just get it fixed as we are not going to trade it in, unless toyota gives us all of our money back, then I would buy another GM product. Oh and for the GM bashers, I have never worked for GM, just like thier cars...

For the person who said all of the "Consumer report" statistics, mann you really need a tool-kit buddy. Honda's and Toyotas are not fast enough to kill you silly!

916-turning the car off? Now you have no steering or brakes! You can't be serious. I bet you have Chinese toys with lead paint in your house too? gmaof3- if I had you at home I'd drink too. Would you really put your grandchildren in one of those vehicles, or don't you love them? Why don't you people admit it: those cars are dangerous.

Modern engines have rev limiters. It doesn't sound pretty, but no damage will occur. The point is that the engine keeps running so you don't lose power brake and steering before you get the car to a safe stopping point.

When these people shift their vehicles into neutral when it is accelerating I am wondering how many RPMs the engine will produce (over reving) and what damage will occur. It could be fun to watch.

The best solution to unintended acceleration is to simply put the transmission into neutral, NOT to turn it off. Unfortunately, many people with automatic transissions never thought to do that in the heat of the moment.

huntnfish--Try again--Ford absolutely denied the problems that existed with the Explorer. They fought and won the first 10 lawsuits, but as the death toll rose it was all downhill from there. After 100 deaths the NHTSB got involved and Ford pointed the finger at Firestone. Firestone then countered with testing that showed that the Explorer would rollover regardless of what brand of tire was on the vehicle.
Displacedworker....Please provide a link to any legitimate source that states that Toyota owners are "locked out" from turning the car off by either turning the key or pushing the start/stop button. No worries on my part, as my cars have manual transmissions:)

KEYWORD FOR Tundra: Rusted out frames.

stupid article and even more stupid people commenting. I guess now it includes me. I could care less what you drive as long as you keep your stupid comments to yourself. This article shows what stupid editors have nothing better to write about stupid stuff. GM, ford, and Chrysler are not better nor any worse than toyota or honda, etc. All vehicles have their flaws, and I'd take my tundra over any of the big 3 trucks right now for sure. Best engine and tranny by far and I've driven the rest, the tundra is the best value for the money bar none.

Lets just say most of you already have, in one capacity or another.
Thank you!

gmaof3, tell us what you do so we won't support you.

Well, I suppose we'll just have to agree to disagree.

I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from a GM community. Its probably different in towns without an auto plant nearby.

I've had my share of US "built" cars and they were junk. I bought my first foreign "jap" car as the racists on here called it, in 2001. 20 years of US "built" cars were enough for me.

So say what you will, THIS 50+ year old, born in the good old US of A, American will buy what I consider the best value for my buck. And its NOT a GM product!

gma...maybe it depends on what type of people you know. Just because your ex-husband drank his lunch, do you think every other worker did also? I suppose the fact that he was your ex has nothing to do with your spitefulness to US auto workers in general...
And, don't you think most of the people within spittin' distance of your house knows someone who works (or worked) in the auto industry? Your autoworker circle isn't the only one. AND-you don't think there are the same varieties of people in each brand's plants? Just as you are determined to point out other brand's recalls, I would like to point out other brands of autoworkers.
This bit was NOT about a drinking issue.

I had friends and acquaintances (and an ex-husband) working in the auto industry. I know what went on in some of these plants. My ex, used to work for Greenlee Brothers in Rockford. They built the machines that build cars. He and his entire 2nd shift would go across the street and DRINK their lunch. THEN, go back to work. So don't tell me that "American" vehicles are superior!

Just being born in the United States doesn't require me to buy the crap we manufacture. Our trade deficit is directly related to poor products and who wants to buy our junk? Every single person on US soil has something NOT made in America, in my opinion. So don't talk out both sides of your mouth.

Here's another:http://www.usrecallnews.com/2010/01/nhtsa-8207.html

"Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Potential Number of Units Affected: 24177
Summary: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH."

So is it because the vehicle is NOT a Ford or Chevy that you're up in arms about?

vatoloco said- "Thousands of Americans are employed because other countries buy our products. Should those countries not buy our products then?"

vatoloco- So you're seriously satisfied with the outrageous trade deficit the USA has?
Do you realize how much more we import than we export?!?!? Yes they might support thousands of American jobs, but the USA supports MILLIONS of foreign jobs! You might want to read this link, particularly about the USA trade deficit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_of_...

I have no problem supporting foreign companies if they would turn around and support the USA by buying just as much from us! Thats called FAIR trade, but in reality it is anything but fair.

wi916, apparently it was rocket science to Toyota. Ford never hid evidence or tried to disquise the problems. Try again. What I do know is I would not put my grandchildren in one of those timebombs.

huntnfish...Did you also break into a cold sweat when you saw a Ford Explorer driving through a corner coming towards you? Those SUVs killed nearly 3 times as many Americans as the Toyota cars--so I hope the same resentment that is harbored toward Toyota is also directed at Ford vehicles. Still sticking with the time bomb analogy--huh? Here's how to diffuse it.....Turn the key to the off position, or push the engine stop/start button--drama over--hardly rocket science..........

I am glad that I'm not the only one to point out the flaws of Consumer Reports. Why don't you actually check out other vehicles instead of buying one because "Consumer Reports said it is good." Try a little research over reading some biased publication.

Not mention the fact that Consumer Reports is owned by an Asian conglomerate, so what products do you think they're going to rate the highest?

vatoloco: "I am curious as to how fast these GM union workers would share their pay with you if you lost your job."
Be curious no longer-they did it every day. Many had a percentage of their pay taken right out of their paychecks for United Way-and I don't need to remind you of the Christmas "program" recently taken over by the teachers (but which they are still part of). And many, many gave (and still do!) regular hours/donations to volunteer work.
And before you remind me; yes, I know many regularly "donated" to bars and voluntarily gave their time to their favorite bar stool, but I bet they were side by side with representatives of every job description.
In other words....they are everyman.
Huntnfish-that's what I had been getting at-how can anyone justify doing what Toyota did (not the recall or unintentional petentially deadly problems-but the lying about the problem when it was discovered) by belittling the work of any other auto company's workers...especially the ones who happen to be their neighbors!

First, I do not work for a auto company. Second, I would not buy a toaster with a Consumer Report recommendation. Thirdly, I said Toyota KNOWINGLY produced vehicles with a safety flaw. Toyota KNEW these flaws were killing Americans, yet hid these problems from the people that could potentionally be harmed because of the flaw. Those are FACTS and against the law. If you choose to drive one, fine. Except for the fact my wife and children are on the same road as these timebombs, and you're damn right I have a problem with that. I don't care if you're gone, but you might take somebody with you!

"Like it or not, I would rather buy something from a US company that employs my neighbors and helps our economy."

I am curious as to how fast these GM union workers would share their pay with you if you lost your job.

Gma, you failed to mention that a GM vehicle also topped the list for the lowest rates of driver deaths. But-who had the biggest recall ever? And I mean before this one where it was like pulling teeth to get the truth, and a "haha! we saved millions!" by originally limiting the recall.
And you failed to qualify your comment by also saying that Consumer Reports stated "Care should be taken when evaluating this data because there are driver factors (such as demographics and region) that might greatly affect the fatality rates per model. We believe models that appeal to a more careful driver tend to have a lower fatality rate than those that attract a more risk-prone driver."
Logic...aint it grand?
But-my comment/question to you about 3 bolts per 15 minutes...you stand by that? By the way, I am not employed my GM, nor was I laid off or paid off by them. I just know it's a ridiculous exaggeration of a GM employee's work day. Kind of like the guy who said people have shops set up right on the line to sell stolen auto parts.
But most of all, no matter how great a vehicle Toyota may be, how can it make you feel better to denigrate the many, many hard-working area autoworkers (do you deny there are any?) who did what they were paid (well) to do for approaching 100 years in your area?

According to Consumer Reports:
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.a...
Highest rates of driver death
More than 140 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years for 2001-2004 model year.Make & Model Rates per million
Chevrolet Blazer (2 door, 2WD) 232
Acura RSX 202
Nissan 350Z 193
Kia Spectra (hatchback) 191
Pontiac Sunfire 179
Kia Rio 175
Chevrolet Cavalier (2 door) 171
Mitsubishi Eclipse 169
Dodge Neon 161
Pontiac GrandAm (2 door) 160
Chevrolet Cavalier (4 door) 150
Ford Mustang 150

So YOU tell me how fabulous these cars are that YOU build. There isn't a single Honda or Toyota on this list!

I base most all of my purchases on Consumer Reports. These reports are based on Consumer experiences, not the media!

The CEO of a Japanese company producing products that are killing Americans, then try to cover it up so as to continue to produce these vehicles in the name of greed. It was not their relatives dying in the collisions. Now you want to call individuals racists because they defend their fellow Americans. Sounds to me you have it backwards. The Toyota execs that tried to cover this up should be charged as criminals as their actions diectly caused harm to our own Americans.

"3 bolts every 15 minutes" ? First hand knowledge? So the entire car is just made with bolts?
And what about material people? They carry the bolts to the line one by one, about 5 minutes apart? Wonder how come you're required to be able to lift 50 # then. And Toyota workers in the US? Their bolts are lighter? Or put on faster? And they make minimum wage? And you think that's right (if were true)? Why, because it keeps everyone's wages down?
I'm amazed. A big problem with Toyotas in the U.S. and some of you use THAT to find fault with your U.S. neighbor's jobs? Why?

How many of our US jobs have crossed the Mexican border? The "big" 3 auto makers caused their own financial ruin by employing people at $25 an hour to screw in 3 bolts every 15 minutes. Wow! Now that's robbery! An honest wage for an honest day's work? Puleeeezzze! 3 bolts every 15 minutes is worth less than minimum wage, in MY book!

Many of you here are confusing patriotism with racism. Pearl Harbor? Well, ok... and we dropped the BIG bomb on Hiroshima... I'd say the makes us even. Get over it. Your arguments reek of cynical racism NOT patriotism!

"Lose" rhymes with booze.
"Loose" rhymes with goose.
HTH :O)

My only comment is that of my favorite bumper sticker:

Loose your job yet??? Keep buying foreign!!

Like it or not, I would rather buy something from a US company that employs my neighbors and helps our economy.
OUR country is in peril and we are still loosing jobs by the thousands each and every week.
Look around you; see all those houses for sale? See your house value dropping? See the lines at the unemployment offices?
Being a patriot means to sacrifice for the better of YOUR nation.
Do you remember "Ask not what your country can do for You, Ask what You can do for your country". It makes sense now more than ever doesn't it?

Thousands of Americans are employed because other countries buy our products. Should those countries not buy our products then?

I am a member of the VFW and the owner of 2 Hondas.

As a Cold War and OIF vet and the owner of Hondas, apparently I too am a traitor.....

Collector--Your comment made me laugh:) Calling someone "a dumb ****** ******" because that person disagrees with your point of view? That's one of the most ignorant things I've read to this point. Check your posts, correct all of the punctuation and spelling errors, and then--just maybe--you will be in a position to insult someone's intelligence.:)

Displacedworker--"ruled tyranny to buy a foreign car"? Seriously? Foreign car competition forced GM to make quality and reliability a priority. Unfortunately GM mismanagement and UAW greed could not provide a product at a competitive price point. Do we really want to return to the craptastic GM vehicles of the 80's and 90's? We're getting off on unrelated tangents here--let's just agree to disagree.......

I bet the poor people that attended the funerals of the poor souls that were killed by one of those p.o.s. don't think "timebomb" is too dramatic.

916WI - You, Sir, are one dumb ****** ****** !!!

huntnfish....."continue to kill" and a "time bomb"? Just a little dramatic? Turn the key off or push the stop button and amazingly the car's engine will shut off:) Fairly simple way to diffuse the "time bomb" if you are in the .000000001% of owners that has this problem.

Ninjadude--Why would someone that prefers driving foreign cars be considered unpatriotic? The last time I checked this country evolved like it did because of it's capitalist nature. Companies that produced better and more innovative products led the way. There is no doubt that the American car companies forgot this simple fact and their reputations and, ultimately, their bottom lines suffered because of it. If it wasn't for the foreign car manufacturers raising the bar when it came to quality/reliability do you honestly think the American car companies would have made the same strides in these areas that they have been forced to make in order to compete? As far as being expected to move out of the country because I love my Toyota, that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Is everything in your house made in America? Your televisions, computers, ipods, cell phones, clothing and furniture--all most likely made in the far east. Maybe you need to book a one way ticket and move to China too:)
No one here is gullible enough to think that Toyota is an American company. It's understandable that the CEO isn't fluent(not affluent:)) in English--he's Japanese....What can not be disputed is that his company has invested heavily in the American manufacturing base--providing thousands of jobs to hardworking Americans. Do you consider those people as being "anti-American" because they work for a foreign manufacturer--or is that sentiment only directed at those who actually purchase products that you don't approve of?

Redhawk--I wasn't just talking about this forum. My entire family, including my 3 brothers all initially owned American made cars. Now, out of 9 cars, there is only 1 American car in the bunch--an older Ford Ranger work truck. The remainder are all either Japanese or German. The parking lot of the office building where I work echoes the same story--I would guess 75% foreign.....

Zoom... they don't have to invade us to control us....that's the scary part.

Ninjadude, you couldn't be anymore right-on with your comments. What I find totally amusing is that 916WI thinks that the six people on this post that actually support driving foreign junk is "a vast majority"!

harleedude said- "If not for the American auto industry during WWII we would all be speaking German or Japanese now."

You seriously believe Germany or Japan could have invaded the U.S.?

Harlee said- "If not for the American auto industry during WWII we would all be speaking German or Japanese now."

Bingo! Most people that hate American car companies fail to realize what a part they have played in the defense of this country!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mot...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler

Now look where the headquarters are for each of the Big 3. Can I make it any simpler for you Toyota lovers that are in fact driving FOREIGN cars!?!?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota

Look where Toyota is headquartered.

I love how some gullible people actually think Toyota is a real American company! Did any of you watch the congressional hearings on wednesday? Mr. Toyoda needed a translator, that doesn't seem very American to me seeing as he isn't affluent in English.

Coll3ctor said- "916 - Wake up buddy. The parts were built to toyata specifications :/ For those of you in love with the foreign crap, why don't you move there ?"

Could not have said it any better myself! They might as well move there, cause if they keep buying this foreign junk, thats where THEIR JOB will end up!

916 said- ""Quality is job 14"? I love the way Horowitz loses sight of the fact that it was an American vendor who was responsible for producing the faulty parts that are creating all of these problems. I understand that Toyota was probably trying to increase the percentage of US made parts in their cars, but in this instance it was not a good decision for them....."

916, I love the way that you lose sight of the fact that Toyota DESIGNED these parts that were made by this American vendor. Way to try to smear the American parts supplier. Glad to see you have so much faith in your fellow American worker. Your patriotism is unparalleled! (Sarcasm)

pigbrain is a fitting handle

916WI, and yet Toyota, Lexus continue to kill. There must not be a catagory for bodycount. Did JD Powers figure that into their numbers? My worry is that one of those timebombs will injure or worse to somebody I know or a family member. Their own NA president told congress their recall won't fix all the junk out there. We should all shiver everytime we see a Toyota coming.

916WI, I agree totally.
I've owned many US vehicles (Tahoe, Impala, Camaro, Mustang, etc.). All of which had problems ranging from rattles & fit & finish issues to total engine/trans replacements.
I now drive an '05 Acura TL. I have yet to have a mechanical issue. It's also just as tight and rattle free as day one, at 160K. My Camry has 90K & is still factory tight and trouble free.
I've never had luck like that with my US designed cars. I don't know what else to say.

Gonefishing.....look at the JD Powers overall dependability index. Yes, Buick ranks as a 5--the same as Toyota and Lexus. Where do Chevrolet, Ford rank? You guessed it--not even close:)

Gonefishin....congratulations on your luck with your Silverado. Unfortunately the vast majority of us who now swear by Japanese cars have not had nearly the same experience with our American cars that you have had. The American(GM) cars that I owned began falling apart at around 60K....:( Until one of my Toyota cars self destructs the way my American cars did, I will not switch back. Simple as that. As far as your question about the last time an American car killed nearly 40 people.....that's an easy one--nearly 200 deaths can be attributed to the Ford Explorer mess.......

"What do you think Rick Horowitz's intentions are in writing this article?" - SuperDave
.
...Satire?

Northman........apology accepted.

harleedude,
Technically, you’re right. Practically though, if you served for more than a couple of years in the last half century, you’re probably eligible for the Legion. From 1950 until today (60 years), only 1955-1961, 1975-1982, and 1984-1989 are excluded (totaling 18 years) are excluded. So, my apologies.

Northman. You are wrong not me. As a member of the American Legion there are specific dates during a time of war that you must have served. Perhaps you should google it and check it out. Not all Veterans can join the American Legion. I await your apology.

Bottom line, Toyota knew their vehicles were running out of control and failed to do anything to fix these, and infact lobbied to cover it up for the sake of more profits at the cost of American lives. Ask the people that attended the 34 funerals of the victims of this greed how they feel about Toyota. Please point your Japanese junk away from me. Toyota, from the same country that brought us Pearl Harbor.

my F150 still runs great with 290,000 miles on it thanks though

Almost forgot, the reason America has become the Middle Management of the world is because of the attitudes of many people posting on here. What happened to the days when people were proud to build something with their hands and elbow grease rather than hold a chair to the floor in a cubicle? I guess I'll never understand.

Some more of those "good old boys" with their small minds and big pick ups.

Hill-rods!

Considering I drove my Honda for 190,000 miles and now my daughter is driving it and I now have a Toyota that I enjoy just as much... There is nothing you peeps can say on these boards that will rile me up over my choice of vehicles.

Toyota will correct these issues and that will be that! I dare say issues with "American cars" are a dime a dozen. Check the auto recall boards!

;)

They care about quality! HAHAHAHAHA!!!! They care about profit and could give a d@#$ about quality. I totally agree that The Big 2.5 made some awful vehicles in the 70's - 80's. However things have changed greatly. Check out a car enthusiast magazine and you'll see all of the great reviews Ford and GM are getting. Better yet, take a drive in a new American made care. I'm willing to bet that you'll change your tune. Remember, Consumer Reports does not a good source of automobile research make!

harleedude:
You’re close, but any veteran can join the Legion. For VFW, you have to have served in a combat zone long enough to have earned a campaign/expeditionary medal, or an equivalent.

That said, it’s worth noting that WWII has been over for going on 65 years. How long do you intend to hold a grudge? How far back should we go on this? Should we still be ticked off about the Spanish, or the Mexicans? How about the ever oppressive British? Should we still hate them? If memory serves, we did fight *with* them in the last couple of world wars. Maybe it’s time to re-invade Canada (it didn’t work out too well last time though)?

World War II...."SOB Japs" "selling out our families" Seriously? My father and grandfather(both veterans from 2 different wars) thought my bright red Honda CRX si was the coolest car. I sold that one with about 150K trouble free miles on it:) Both of my parents have owned different Honda and Toyota cars over the past couple of years. The people with the racist views regarding the Japanese stemming from a war that happened almost a century ago really need to let it go. Throughout history there have been conflicts and wars involving nearly every industrialized country on the planet. We practically exterminated an entire race of people(American Indians) populating this country....Now some people choose to focus on a century old war with the Japanese to stress why we should hate them and their products? Come on--don't be so ignorant. Some of us prefer Japanese cars and there are others that prefer the American cars--try limiting the discussion to the pros and cons of the products without going off on tangents as to why we should hate an entire race of people......

Good to see racism is still alive and well in my hometown! WWII was over 60 years ago. Move on, the rest of the world has. The world is a totally different place. I wonder why I'm embarrassed to tell people where I grew up...

My grandfather was AT Pearl Harbor. It wasn't just a story to him. He saw many of his best friends DIE that morning at the hands of the enemy. And when he died 10 years ago he had a much better perspective on it than most of you. He wasn’t bitter or racist even when he had a real excuse to be.

Maybe you folks should watch the History Channel this week, they have a special on WWII in HD about the Pacific campaign. That oughta make you feel real good about driving Jap cars. I suppose if the Taliban started making cars you all would run out and buy from them too. Would you?

harleedude, jethrobodean - I see there are some people out there with common sense :)

Go to a VFW or American Legion meeting. To be a member you have to have served your country during a time of war. See how many foreign cars you see in their parking lots. If not for the American auto industry during WWII we would all be speaking German or Japanese now. Yes, I'm still ticked off about that Pearl Harbor thing.

Every single topic that gets discussed in this forum turns into a fight among the people.
Many times it turns into personal insults and mean or cruel comments.
Is this what American's have become? People hiding behind screen names telling people who don't agree with them how stupid or out of touch they are?
This is very sad. Even border line embarrassing...

vatoloco - The Aztek is still in production ??? You guys are living in the past. This country is going to hell partly because of people like you :/

Collector-Go and pimp your American Motors Pacer.

vatoloco - What planet are you from ???

hiredgun - Mr. tayada and crew are US citizens ? toyata is a US owned/based company.... really.... ???

Collector-Go and patch up your rusty trailer with auto body filler.

Collector-

The Pontiac Aztek looks like an angry refrigerator on wheels.

Foreign vehicles like Honda, Nissan, and Toyota are not cheap. However, when you build a superior, quality minded, and better appealing product you can charge whatever you want.

coll3ctor

Your ignorance of this topic would be laughable if it weren't so pathetic.

Toyota is a world wide maker of vehicles. The trucks and cars it sells in the US are made in San Antonio Tx, Huntsville Al, Georgetown Ky, Princeton and Lafayette In, Buffalo W. Va. Toyota plans additional plants at Tupelo and Blue Springs Ms.

You need to go read a book.

916WI - The Trans Am was an excellent call for that period.

There is nothing wrong with the current American made automobiles. Keep buying all that foreign crud and mouthing off on how proud you are of it :(

Collector.....Are you seriously that narrow minded? Just because people appreciate Japanese autos doesn't mean that they aren't happy to be Americans or take pride in living in this great country. As far as your "ugly azz Foreign crap" comment, I would like to see what you consider to be the pinnacle of automotive design....probably the Ford Pinto, or possibly that Pontiac Trans Am with the big bird decal on the hood?:)

Gm is just as bad as Toyota. Look at the Pontiac Vibe same recall as the Toyota Matrix for the floor mats. How they solve it? The just remove the floor mat.

916 - Wake up buddy. The parts were built to toyata specifications :/ For those of you in love with the foreign crap, why don't you move there ?

I can't believe all these people in love with their ugly azz Foreign crap !

916 - Hopefully you will become unstuck when it runs off on its own.

Obviously Rick Horowitz is a couple bricks short of a full load. Toyota has recently shown the world that it cares for it's customers. Toyota will never reach the low levels of the bottom-dwelling, mob-owned US auto industry.

GM, "The Deadbeat of America"

Toyota, "Moving forward even when you don't want to".

"Quality is job 14"? I love the way Horowitz loses sight of the fact that it was an American vendor who was responsible for producing the faulty parts that are creating all of these problems. I understand that Toyota was probably trying to increase the percentage of US made parts in their cars, but in this instance it was not a good decision for them.....

916W-How true.

GM is known more for the social services it provides its employees than the cars it builds.

Joan....What American company's profits are you contributing to? GM hasn't made a profit in years. My "contribution" to GM is giving them my tax dollars as a reward to continuing to fund their mismanagement and to fund the bloated UAW masses. Please don't ask me to buy one of their crappy cars on top of it. I'll stick with my Toyota:)

I suspect there are tons of GM, Ford, and Chrysler lobbyists trying to influence legislators to go out and crucify Toyota. Sad, but this is probably the only way the failure prone, losing billions of dollars a year, and sucking tax payer money domestic automakers can ever beat a car company like Toyota.

What do you think Rick Horowitz's intentions are in writing this article?

http://www.autorecalls.us/aut-03/recalls...

I had a Chevy Venture and a Ford Taurus. Junk. I would rather drive a Toyota or Nissan anyday. Union Made? I'll pass.

You would all sing a different tune if your accelerator pedal ran you off a cliff.

I love my Chevy Impala. What a great car and no problems. I love the leather seats. I used to have a Solara - big mistake. I'm glad I finally did the right thing and bought a union made vehicle where the profits aren't going to some foreign country. Not to mention, I like my Impala so much more - better quality, better performance.

I'll take one of those "bargain basement" Toyotas over and GM or Ford any day.

We have a Solara too. We love it. It's a 2005. Maybe they made them better back then?

Haaaaaaaa-hahahahhhhhh! And I OWN a Toyota Solara convertible!

Supposedly, MY car model is fine. Whatever... Toyotas are still better than a FixOrRepairDaily!